Helloween is a heavy/power/speed metal band from Germany founded in 1983 by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. Helloween are known as major innovators of power metal. The original line-up featured Kai Hansen (Vocals/Guitars), Michael Weikath (Guitars), Markus Grosskopf (Bass) and Ingo Schwichtenberg (Drums). In 1984 the band had signed a deal with Noise Records and recorded two songs for a Noise compilation record called Death Metal. The two tracks were "Oernst Of Life" by Weikath, and Hansen's "Metal Invaders" which later on ended up in a faster version on the bands first full-length album. 1985 came around and Helloween then recorded their first record Helloween, a self-titled EP containing 5 tracks. The EP was successful, and during that same year they recorded and released their first full-length album titled Walls of Jericho which became a critical smash, with its innovative mixture of speed and melodies. (In Fact, WWE Wrestler Chris Jericho took his stage name from the album, as well as the name of his signature submission move Walls Of Jericho). However, during the following tour, it became obvious that Kai had difficulties singing and playing the guitar at the same time. Kai's last performance as the band's lead-singer came in 1986 in form of a single EP titled Judas, which contained the song "Judas" along with some live tracks. After that Helloween began the search for a new vocalist... The first choice was to recruit former Tyran Pace vocalist Ralf Scheepers, however the band ended up finding an 18-year-old talent from the local Hamburg band Ill Prophecy, named Michael Kiske. With their new lead singer they recorded Keeper of the Seven Keys, Part 1, released in 1987, which established Helloween as one of the most successful metal bands in Europe. In 1988 Helloween recorded Keeper of the Seven Keys Part II, their best-known album featuring the classic line-up. The band achieved even more success around the world than with
1 | March Of Time | Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part II |
2 | Another Shot Of Life (Bonus Track) | Straight out of Hell |
3 | Nabataea | Straight out of Hell |
4 | Wanna Be God | Straight out of Hell |
5 | Burning Sun | Straight out of Hell |
6 | Hold Me in Your Arms | Straight out of Hell |
7 | Lay All Your Love On Me | Metal Jukebox |
8 | Burning Sun (Hammond Version) (Bonus Track) | Straight out of Hell |
9 | Hocus Pocus | Metal Jukebox |
10 | Juggernaut | Metal Jukebox |
11 | Church Breaks Down | Straight out of Hell |
12 | Future World | Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I |
13 | Don't Stop Being Crazy | Rabbit Don't Come Easy |
14 | World of War | Straight out of Hell |
15 | Live Now! | Straight out of Hell |
16 | Power | The Time Of The Oath |
17 | Dr.Stein | Keepers Of The Seven Keys Part II |
18 | Far from the Stars | Straight out of Hell |
19 | Silent Rain | Keeper of The Seven Keys: The Legacy |
20 | Locomotive Breath | Metal Jukebox |